I would rather have five energetic and competent enemies than one fool friend.

In belief lies the secret of all valuable exertion.

How little praise warms out of a man the good that is in him, as the sneer of contempt which he feels is unjust chill the ardor to excel.

People praise us behind our backs, but we hear them not; few before our faces, and who is not suspicious of the truth of such praise?

The Management of money is, in much, the management of self. If heaven allotted to each man seven guardian angels, five of them, at least, would be found night and day hovering over his pockets.

What a mistake to suppose that the passions are strongest in youth! The passions are not stronger, but the control over them is weaker! They are more easily excited, they are more violent and apparent; but they have less energy, less durability, less intense and concentrated power than in maturer life.

We must remember how apt man is to extremes--rushing from credulity and weakness to suspicion and distrust.